Age-Biased Spring Dispersal in Male Wild Turkeys

Abstract

In polygamous animal species, the reproductive component of male fitness largely is determined by the number of females to which they can gain access (e.g. Wright 1946). Access to females often is strongly influenced by the possession of high-quality breeding or display grounds by males (Weatherhead and Robertson 1977). For animals that move between winter and breeding areas, access to high-quality breeding or display grounds can be determined by timing and distance of such movements, but ability to hold highquality sites could be determined by local familiarity, as well as social and physiological status (Greenwood 1980, Johnson 1986, Johnson and Gaines 1990, P•irt 1994, Tsuji et al. 1994). Early dispersal and short-distance movements should allow access to best sites and dominant indi-